SNP attacks partial selloff of Royal Mail

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PRIVATISATION WOULD ‘SPELL THE BEGINNING OF THE END’
SNP attacks partial selloff of Royal Mail
BY STACEY HORNE

Published: 11/05/2009

The Government’s controversial plan to part-privatise the Royal Mail came under attack yesterday, following reports that up to 120 Labour MPs are set to sign a letter this week demanding Gordon Brown reconsiders his plans.

The move comes as Conservative leader David Cameron says he would also vote to defeat the part-privatisation plans if the prime minister attempted to water down the proposals with concessions to buy-off Labour rebels.

SNP postal affairs spokesman Mike Weir said: “It is the future of Royal Mail that is important. Privatisation would spell the beginning of the end for Royal Mail, and open the door to job losses, service cuts and a deterioration in the working conditions of postal workers.

“The privatisation of the Royal Mail could not happen at a worse time.

“When people all over Scotland are facing redundancy and fearing for their jobs, the last thing they want is the postal service to be put in the hands of a private partner whose only concern would be to make a profit.

“Royal Mail must remain in public hands and the SNP will continue to fight for the retention of the publicly-owned Royal Mail.”

Labour MSP David Whitton is opposed to the plans and believes Royal Mail service is “best kept in public hands”.

He said: “With proper government investment, it can still provide a world-class service. The terrific service that our postmen and women provide in this country is often forgotten or taken for granted.

“Where else can people get a next-day delivery of letters and parcels at a very reasonable cost? Certainly not in the countries where the companies that are said to be interested in investing in the Royal Mail are based.”

The Federation of Small Businesses has warned the government that it could not afford to see any more post offices close because of the “serious impact” it would have on their members’ trade.

The proposals being considered include splitting the Post Office from Royal Mail and allowing it to operate independently. The federation said its members relied on an efficient network of local offices being retained.